The United States has said it “cannot and will not” allow Ebola cases to enter the country as a growing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to raise concerns.
More than 220 suspected deaths and 900 cases have been reported, with the World Health Organization declaring the outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, a public health emergency of international concern and the third-largest of its kind on record.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a Cabinet meeting: “We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the United States.”
The U.S. response marks a shift from the 2014 outbreak, when infected patients were treated in specialised domestic facilities. Officials now say their strategy is focused on containing the virus within the affected region.
Two U.S. officials said Washington is in discussions with Kenya about potentially opening a quarantine centre for exposed American citizens, though the proposal has not yet been approved.
Public health experts have raised concerns. Amesh Adalja of the Johns Hopkins Centre for Health Security said established high-containment facilities in the U.S. or Germany would offer better care.
“I can’t imagine that you can build a facility de novo in Kenya to have that same standard,” he said, noting such centres are equipped to manage complex treatment needs.
He also warned the approach could discourage medical volunteers.
The U.S. has introduced travel restrictions for individuals recently in the DRC and neighbouring countries, and is screening arrivals at three airports, measures some experts say have limited effectiveness.
Chris Meekins, a former U.S. health official, said the strategy reflects capacity constraints.
“What they’re doing here is trying to find options that don’t require bringing people back to the U.S.,” he said.
Canada and the Bahamas announced on Tuesday that they will temporarily restrict entry for residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan following an Ebola outbreak in the region.
Canadian authorities said the 90-day measure will come into force on Wednesday and is intended to reduce the risk of Ebola entering and spreading within the country.
The Bahamas said its restrictions would take effect immediately and remain in place for 30 days, pending a review by the country’s health ministry.
The World Health Organisation on Friday elevated the risk of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola developing into a nationwide outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to “very high”. The organisation also declared the outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.
Last week, the United States introduced similar measures, barring non-citizens who had recently travelled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan from entering the country.
Canada’s public health agency said Canadian citizens, permanent residents and certain foreign nationals who have recently been in affected areas but show no symptoms will be required to quarantine for 21 days from May 30.
The Bahamas also announced enhanced health screening procedures and possible quarantine requirements for foreign nationals who had been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within 30 days prior to arriving in the Caribbean nation.
Monday marks the second of two days of national mourning in Poland as police bolstered security after six people were killed in a mass sh...
Global temperatures are projected to rise by up to 2.8°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100 under current climate policies, according to a Uni...
Clashes between protesters and police erupted in Paris and Marseille on Saturday as demonstrations over rising living costs and declining public se...
Poland has declared two days of national mourning after a gunman opened fire in Kraków's historic main square. Investigators are examining possible far-right influences and the discovery of three bodies at the suspect's home.
Monday marks the second of two days of national mourning in Poland as police bolstered security after six people were killed in a mass shooting in Kraków.
Russian forces launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv early on Saturday, 7 November, injuring two people and damaging residential buildings, just three days before U.S.-led peace talks with Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis said it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired by the Iran-aligned group towards Riyadh on Sunday (8 November), after loud booms were heard in the Saudi capital. The Aramco building was damaged by falling debris.
New Zealand’s ruling centre-right National Party has taken a narrow lead over the opposition Labour Party in Saturday’s general election, with the country’s current three-party coalition projected to retain power.
Monday marks the second of two days of national mourning in Poland as police bolstered security after six people were killed in a mass shooting in Kraków.
Clashes between protesters and police erupted in Paris and Marseille on Saturday as demonstrations over rising living costs and declining public services continued for a fourth consecutive weekend across France.
Security measures have been stepped up in Antalya, Türkiye, ahead of the COP31 United Nations climate summit, which begins on Monday, 9 November, with thousands of additional personnel deployed across the Mediterranean city.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) dismissed a new U.S. military operation targeting the movement of weapons and sanctioned materials on Sunday, 8 November, saying Washington would fail to isolate the Iranian economy despite expanding restrictions on maritime and land routes.
A Russian overnight attack on energy infrastructure in Ukraine's eastern Dnipropetrovsk region left more than 600,000 people without electricity on Sunday, 8 November, Ukrainian energy company DTEK said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment